Paris: It’s All About the Crêpes and Macarons

Paris is a well-known foodie destination… and there is definitely a lot more than just bread and cheese going on here. Of course bread and cheese is a staple of the budget-travel diet to which the Parisian boulangeries (bread bakeries) cater very well, but we are going to take a second to talk about the desserts. Some of the desserts aren’t even desserts but entire meals in themselves, like the savory crêpes that can be found in their full glory among bustling Montparnasse crêperies. But we will get to that soon, right now it’s time to check my blood sugar. Hmmm it’s a little low… obviously it’s macaron time.

^^^We visited multiple Pierre Hermé locations multiple times during our week in Paris. The consumption of one of these delicate treats could be compared to a religious experience. These are priceier than macarons sold at other pâtisseries, but the taste and quality of these are well worth the splurge!

^^^Still a little low? Tarte aux framboises is a popular raspberry treat sold at almost every pâtisserie in the city.

^^^Are we getting ice cream involved? Yup, it’s happening. Berthillon dominates the ice cream scene here, and it’s easy to see why. They are available in many locations throughout the city and make for a perfect treat on a hot afternoon in Paris. We enjoyed a scoop while strolling around Île Saint-Louis, a charming island in located in the Seine river.

Okay all these images of treats is making me hungry! It’s time for crêpes!

^^^The Alternative Atlas special recommendation: La Crêperie de Josselin. This is hands-down the finest spot for traditional savory crêpes.

^^^The Josselin menu is full of vegetarian options, the restaurant is adorable, and the staff consists of all these old Parisian ladies who treat you like family as soon as you walk through the door. 67 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris.

^^^Crêperie Oroyona is a funky little place in the Latin Quarter for a delicious and cheap stop. The vegetarian ratatouille crêpe is amazing, the table settings consist of paper plates and plastic cups, and the walls are plastered with vintage magazine cutouts. Truly this is a labor of love. 36 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris.